Recommendations and Reviews

I get an early chance at the author spotlight this week. June McCullough gets the spotlight shining on her twice for her books One The Other Hand and Home To Stay. Read on to find out more!

On the Other Hand:

Have you ever wondered ‘What if’? On the Other Hand is an inspirational story that will touch your heart and have you both laughing and crying. When Mike Andrews dies suddenly from a stroke, Nina is left on her own. Her overwhelming grief soon turns to anger and then depression. Just when she thinks she is learning to endure, she crashes.

Pat McDermott is successful professionally, but her personal life has been a disappointment. Trying to balance life as a single mother with her career, she is totally unprepared when Gordon enters the scene.

Crushed by her grief, Nina carefully plans her suicide, but just as she is about to carry out her plan, there is a knock at her door. The visitor she finds on the other side will change her life in ways she never dared dream.

Formats available:

On the Other Hand: Kindle, Kobo, Softcover and Hardcover

Book links:

Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/pages/On-the-Other-Hand/190445527688724?ref=hl

Home to Stay:

Although she has never stopped referring to Aces Corral as her home, it has been two years since Diana Crawford has stepped foot on the ranch just outside Calgary, Canada. Her decision to return home was made just as abruptly as her decision to leave, but as Diana’s car pulls into the long driveway, she knows that it is time once again to build the family ranch into a successful business. Little does she know that waiting for her return is a man determined to change everything.

In this contemporary cowboy romance, a woman on the fringes of finding her own inner strength must expose a web of deceit before she loses everything she has ever loved.

Formats available:

Home to Stay: Kindle, Kobo, Softcover and Hardcover

Book Links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Home-to-Stay-by-June-McCullough/245266722216771?ref=hl

Author Bio:

June McCullough has always been a writer of stories, but this was a well-kept secret until she became the published author of On the Other Hand in 2011. As a baby boomer, June watched several people in her life go through the same experience that the main character in On the Other Hand, Nina Andrews, goes through when her husband, Mike, dies suddenly from a stroke. With baby boomers now making up a large portion of the population worldwide, people everywhere are relating to this story, either through their own experience, or watching someone they love go through it.

This novel was so well received that people kept asking her when her next novel would be published, and so she dusted off her old manuscripts and published Home to Stay, a contemporary romance that takes place just outside Calgary, Canada.

She is currently working on her third novel, Retribution. It’s all about payback.

Connect with June McCullough:

Blog: http://www.junemccullough.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/junemccullough

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/june.mccullough.165

Twitter: http://twitter.com/McCullough_June

LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/june-mccullough/4a/b07/602

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorjm/

Author Website: http://www.junemccullough.com

Blog: http://jmccullough.authorsxpress.com/

Amazon links:

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/June-McCullough/e/B005HG4V66

Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/June-McCullough/e/B005HG4V66

Amazon.ca: http://www.amazon.ca/s?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=June%20McCullough&search-alias=books-ca

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=June+McCullough&t=none&f=author&p=1&s=averagerating&g=both

Chapters: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/35/search/?sc=June%20McCullough&sf=Author

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/june-mccullough

With all these links, there are ample opportunities to connect with June and her books! Visit her blog, website, and links, buy her books and, once you read them, leave her some reviews! I know she will appreciate it!!

It is time for another author spotlight! Today we focus on author Mel Toye and 4 of her books (maybe I need multiple spotlights this week)! Mel has written in several different genres, so she has something for almost everyone.

We will start with her chick lit novel Entice Me.

Miranda is the top recruitment consultant for Entice Consultancy, working long hours to achieve great results. From the outside she appears to have her life in order as a successful career woman. Yet a jealous rival is determined to do anything to take her down and soon Miranda’s life turns problematical. Grace and Louise both met Miranda through work and lead interesting lives of their own. Grace a free spirit, falls in love with a man that appears to be perfect. When her true love goes missing her world soon falls apart. Louise’s eating disorder is pushed to the limit as is her marriage with Mike. Retirement and a new relationship seem like bliss until one night’s event changes everything. Entice Me is a journey that explores life changing events that forces each woman to rediscover themselves and what they are seeking from life. Meltdowns, break-ups, love and laughter make Entice Me into an entertaining read.

This novel is available from Amazon.com and Smashwords.com for $0.99 at the following links:

http://www.amazon.com/Entice-Me-ebook/dp/B008VBTWZO/ref=sr_1_1?_encoding=UTF8&al_rs=&keywords=melanie%20toye&qid=1359071686&sr=8-1#al_rp 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/234817

We shift gears now and highlight her second book, Kids, Write Your Own Stories. This book is a children’s non-fiction work.

Kids, Write Your Own Stories:

26 Creative Writing Activities for Kids to experiment, create and write their own stories. Ages 8 years plus. This e-Book will provide a great opportunity for your child to really let their imagination roam free through story writing.

This book is available at Smashwords.com for $1.99 at the following link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/256231

Keeping in the children’s book genre, Mel’s third book is a children’s fiction novel!

Annabelle’s Angels:

Annabelle’s Angels is a sweet story about a young girl who can see angels. Living in the country where nature is awe-inspiring, Annabelle and her family have to move to the big city. Annabelle’s Angels is a great story that will help children who are being transitioned into another school or moving to a new location. As well as showing your child the magic a world can be when one believes in the power of angels.

Annabelle’s Angels can be found for $1.99 at the following link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/255635

Now, we come to Mel’s last offering. This one is non-fiction work about entertaining your young children. Called Activities for Babies – When Toys are not Enough, this book shows you creative ways to entertain your baby.

Activities for Babies:

I am very excited to tell you about my latest e-Book ‘Activities for Babies – When toys are not enough’. For Babies 6-12 months.With a son of my own I know what it is like when toys just do not provide enough stimulation, learning and development. This is why I have created this e-Book, listing games and activities using every day household items. Not only is it a useful guide but will also inspire you to create your own games for your baby. Not only will boredom be thrown out the door but the activities will provide a range of benefits for you and your baby. Be sure to provide your review and let your friends know about this great ebook. I hope you enjoy spending time with your baby with the activities expressed in this e-Book.

Available at Amazon.com for $3.05 at the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/Activities-Babies-When-enough-ebook/dp/B00961P0XG/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Connect with Mel:

• Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/M-Toye/146863872056871
• Facebook Personal Page: http://www.facebook.com/mel.toye.9
• Twitter: @meltoye 172
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=156921158&trk=tab_pro
• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/melanietoye/
• Blogs: http://greatbooksbygreatauthors.wordpress.com/
• http://yourchildwilllovethis.wordpress.com

Check out Mel’s blogs, author page, and connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and/or Twitter! I know she will appreciate likes, comments, and, of course, purchases and reviews!

The Man With The Green Suitcase!

I know many of you who read my blog will remember that I did an author spotlight on Dee Doanes and her novel The Man With the Green Suitcase. I had not read the book at that time, but was glad to shine the spotlight on this talented Atlanta author. So, when I found myself without anything to read recently, I got the book from Amazon.com (on my new Kindle that I got for Christmas!) and read it. I am glad I did!

Dee Doanes has written an intriguing paranormal romance that captured me from the start and didn’t let go until the end. Weaving the stories of her characters together, while shifting the story focus from one to another, she kept me guessing about what would happen next. The homeless man with the green suitcase shows the characters’ visions that enable the connection between the characters to develop. The ending was unexpected, but, in retrospect, absolutely perfect!

The characters were believable and easy to identify with, and the action was timely. The relationships between the characters ebbed and flowed as events unfold. And the mystery of the green suitcase – well you will just have to read the book to find out!

My Rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Dee Doanes:

Find Dee Doanes on her website or her Amazon Author Page. Stop by and see what she’s up to. While there, maybe pick up your copy of  The Man with the Green Suitcase. Consider leaving a comment or a review, too!

Today’s author spotlight illuminates Georgina Hannan and her YA Horror/romance novel Cursed. Sure to make chills run up and down your spine, her novel has no werewolves or vampires, but is where myth and reality collide!!

A young adult story about a group of four friends who embark on a holiday together to the gorgeous countryside of Dartmoor, Devon, each of them hoping for an adventure, something they will always remember. However it isn’t long before they get what they want.

The group are plagued by noises after hearing the myths and legends of the area. Is it just their overactive imaginations or is there a visitor in the spare room who is trying to get their attention?

Join the group on a spectacular journey as they discover what Dartmoor has to offer.

Available in paperback for £6.99 at the following links:

Amazon.com.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cursed-Georgina-Hannan/dp/1780355289/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358015937&sr=8-1

Fast-Print.net link: http://www.fast-print.net/bookshop/1247/Cursed

Author Bio: Where to start! I live in Surrey, England, I work full-time for an I.T company, and am currently a Project Coordinator. I started writing when I was fourteen. Before I started Secondary School, I struggled with reading. It was when I was about eleven or twelve that I started going to the library and I found the books which interested me. Since then I’ve become a reader and a writer and my English is better than ever. I love writing and hope it can be something I can continue to do as my life goes on.

Connect with Georgina:

Good Reads:

 http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/12359961-georgina

Facebook Author Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cursed-Series-Book-1-Cursed/295055813914904

http://www.facebook.com/CursedSeriesBook2Obsession

Facebook Personal Page:  http://www.facebook.com/authorgeorgina.hannan?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AuthorGeorgina

Blog: http://authorworld.wordpress.com

Author Interview:

1. What is your book about? It’s a young adult book about a group of four friends who have their first trip away together and gain first hand experience with the myths of the area.

2. How did you come up with the idea for your book? I took a trip to Dartmoor for the day and I loved it and since then the idea was brewing.

3. What makes your book different than others in your genre? I’m new, fresh and learning. Plus it’s not vampires or werewolves!

4. Who is your favorite writer? Why? Ooh that is tough, I love Lauren Kate because her Fallen books have gripped me and I love the idea that love can last forever, life after life. I Also, like Karen Mahoney, her Iron Witch books are different to what I’ve read before and I love her new ideas.

5. Is your writing style similar to any well-known writers? If so, which one(s)? Not that I am aware of as I am just starting out.

6. Who is your Muse? My muse is possibly my boyfriend. He is a great person to throw ideas around with.

7. Does your main character resemble anyone in your family or circle of friends? Yes, my main character was actually based on myself!

8. How long did it take you to write your book? Well I started it in 2010 and it took a few months. I put it down for a year and then gave it a huge overhaul at the beginning of 2012 and it was released in Jan 2013. So 2 years in a sense, but in practice about 6 months to 1 year.

9. What are some writing goals for the future? I am writing Book 2 – Obsession now so my goal is to have it finished and edited by the end of the year!

10. What was the most difficult thing you have learned being a writer? How to edit! It is a long and arduous task but is rather rewarding.

Today I turn the author spotlight on Laura Fields and her debut novel Featherlight. Written for the young adult audience, the book has a paranormal romance theme. Read on to find out more about Featherlight and its author Laura Fields!

About the book:

The life of Jacque Winters has not been easy. After being abused by her father and shutting herself off socially, she was kidnapped by strangers. The good news is that her kidnappers are kind. The bad news? She is now forced to live in a society controlled by men, which is practically her worst nightmare.Despite her promises to never fall in love, one man is proving those promises to be extremely difficult to keep. He chips away at her barriers with kindness, and soon he may have access into her heart. On her pursuit of happiness, Jacque realizes that in order to truly be satisfied with life, she’ll have to come to terms with her past.She needs to figure out whether her future is worth sacrificing in order to save the life she had left behind.

Amazon Book Link:

Author Bio:

Laura Fields lives on a ranch in the middle of nowhere, giving her plenty of spare time to write.”Featherlight” was her first novel, and she is currently working on a second one in between school, modeling, and living. Although young, Laura has big dreams for the future, and hopes to continue her writing/blogging career part-time through her pseudonym. She welcomes any questions or comments to laurafields@mail.com

Connect with Laura Fields:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustMeFields

Blog: www.bookfreebies.blogspot.com

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Fields/e/B00AQXJY1M/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Check her book out on Amazon.com, like the book and Laura’s author page, visit Laura’s blog, and maybe buy a copy of the book for your Kindle (or iPad or Nook). If you do buy one, remember to leave a review when you have finished the book!!

I have to admit that I am not much of a gamer. Yes, we have always had game systems here at home. We still have an old Atari (with Pong and Pac Man) and have had a Nintendo system, Super Nintendo, PS One, PS Two, a Wii, and an XBox 360 with Kinect. But, I haven’t ever been a big fan of playing games on the PC. Why am I telling all of this? Because today’s review is about S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Captives of the Zone, a graphic novel based on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video game. I have never played the game and therefore did not know what to expect from a novel based on it. So, please read on for my review!

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.  Captives of the Zone

My Review

Disclaimer: I was given this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I am not a big gamer, so I am unfamiliar with the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games and other books. Given that, and given that I am not usually a fan of graphic novels, I was unsure what to expect when I started reading this book. Surprisingly, the book was very well written and drew me right into the story. The story is bare-boned and characters are enigmatic by design. With a few illustrations and a narrative that reflects the idea that the novel is a diary written by a captive of the Zone, I found myself immersed in the story.

I won’t give away any of the story, but I would recommend reading this whether you play the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games or not. It is a quick read and will leave you wondering what happens next and maybe entice you to play the games! 4 Stars!!

Find the book:

Get the book at: https://www.amazon.com/S-T-L-K-Captives-Zone-diary-ebook/dp/B008QVOARO

Connect with Artur Frank:

Find Artur Frank’s books on his Amazon Author Page!